Royal gramma
A small, colorful planktivore native to western Atlantic reefs.
Last updated
The aquaticcommunity.com account notes that Gramma loreto has not been evaluated for the IUCN Red List.[1] Belonging to the Grammatidae family, the fish species Gramma loreto inhabits the tropical western Atlantic Ocean's reef environments.[2] Aquarium hobbyists frequently house this species in their tanks.[2]
Scientific classification
- KingdomAnimalia
- PhylumChordata
- ClassActinopterygii
- DivisionTeleostei
- OrderBlenniiformes
- FamilyGrammatidae
- GenusGramma
- SpeciesGramma loreto
Named by Poey, 1868
Close relatives
Other species of Gramma with a Codexery entry.
- Blackcap basslet Gramma melacara
- Golden fairy basslet Gramma dejongi
Sources: Wikipedia taxobox: Royal gramma (CC BY-SA 4.0) · differs from this box at order: WoRMS AphiaID 280932 (CC BY 4.0)
Conservation status
Least Concern (LC)
- LC▲ this species
- NT
- VU
- EN
- CR
- EW
- EX
Source: IUCN Red List assessment · GBIF copy of the Red List category
How big is it?
Largest length in the source, 0.08 m, next to a 1.8 m person.
Diagram: drawn by Codexery, schematic shapes to scale (not a likeness). Length: Wikipedia: Royal gramma
Where the royal gramma has been recorded
Each dot is a place where the species has been observed and reported (21,728 records, half-degree grid) — not a modelled range. 12 inland records left out (institution coordinates).
Map: drawn by Codexery. Data: GBIF occurrence search (records CC0 / CC BY) · Natural Earth basemap (public domain) · place coordinates: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Biology and range
The aquaticcommunity.com account states the royal gramma is found from Bermuda and Bahamas through Central America to northern South America.[1] In the wild, the royal gramma acts as a cleaner fish, removing ectoparasites from other fishes.[1] The male protects the nest and eggs, performs ongoing maintenance, and removes debris frequently.[3] Starting at the head, the coloration ranges from light purple to deep violet, transitioning to a golden yellow by the tail.[4]
A black line runs through the eye, and a small black spot is located on the front part of the dorsal fin.[4] The maximum recorded length for a scientifically measured specimen of this fish is 8.0 cm.[1] Using algae fragments, the male constructs a nest situated among rocks.[1] Each egg, measuring about 1 mm, features small surface protuberances with tiny threads that secure them to the nest's algae.[5]
What the specialist sources record
The aquaticcommunity.com account describes the royal gramma as a comparatively hardy saltwater fish often kept by novice marine aquarists.[1] It is relatively peaceful but will chase away small fish that occupy its favorite caves and crevices.[1] The same source notes it may fight similar fish such as other Grammatidae, dottybacks, and dwarf seabass.[1] The aquaticcommunity.com account states the royal gramma is not considered tricky to feed in aquariums.[1]
It has been successfully bred in captivity.[1] GBIF records 21,997 occurrence records for Gramma loreto as of 19 October 2026.[6]
References
- "Royal Gramma", www.aquaticcommunity.com. facts only, no text reused. aquaticcommunity.com
- Wikipedia, "Royal gramma" (CC BY-SA 4.0) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Royal gramma" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Tucker Jr., "Marine Fish Culture", Springer US, 6 December 2012, p. 708 (we also read that source) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Royal gramma" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "Royal Gramma", www.aquaticcommunity.com (we also read that source) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Royal gramma" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "Aquatic Community" (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy and occurrence index, Gramma loreto (taxon key 2380558). CC BY 4.0 (backbone); counts are facts. gbif.org
Each numbered sentence above was checked against the source it cites before publication. Sentences citing Wikipedia adapt text from the English Wikipedia article Royal gramma (contributors), used under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is available under the same licence. Other sources were used for facts only; no text or images are copied from them.
More in Gobies, Blennies & Basslets
Elsewhere in Reef Aquarium Species
Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Royal gramma (CC BY-SA 4.0).
- Classification: the source article's taxobox; compare WoRMS, the World Register of Marine Species (CC BY 4.0).
- Conservation status: IUCN Red List assessment.
- Occurrence records: GBIF (CC0 / CC BY). Basemap: Natural Earth (public domain).
- Word definitions: the , each quoted from its Wikipedia article.
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